Former coach named in suit denies meeting hurt wrestler Court asked to dismiss claim of negligence

August 23, 1992|By Mike Farabaugh | Mike Farabaugh,Staff Writer

A $600,000 negligence suit blames William Zimmerman, former Edgewood High wrestling coach, for severe injuries a student suffered during wrestling tryouts.

But Mr. Zimmerman says he never met the student and wasn't even a coach at the school at the time of the incident.

Attorneys for Mr. Zimmerman asked the Harford Circuit Court Thursday to dismiss the suit, filed last month by Michael King and his parents, Raymond and Dorcas King.

L The suit stems from injuries Michael received Nov. 30, 1990.

In Thursday's filing for dismissal, J. Michael Sloneker and Deborah J. Clarke, attorneys for Mr. Zimmerman, said their client, who works as a work-study coordinator at Bel Air High, has not coached wrestling at Edgewood since 1986.

On Wednesday, David A. Castro and Bruce Ezrine, attorneys for Mr. King, amended the original complaint, naming the county Board of Education rather than the county as a co-defendant, and requested a jury trial.

The Kings, of the 600 block of Sequoia Avenue in Edgewood, contend in the suit that the coach "breached his duty of care" when Michael King was sent onto the mat with only two weeks of experience against a bigger and more experienced opponent.

Michael King weighed 189 pounds at the time of the incident, and the opponent, unnamed in the suit, weighed 275 pounds.

The plaintiff further contends that harm to his back and limbs caused "severe, painful and permanent" injuries and have prevented him from participating in "normal activities, duties and pursuits."

The student's parents contend they lost the affection and services of their son because of the injuries, the suit says.

The suit asks damages of $500,000 for the son and $100,000 for the parents, as well as legal and medical expenses.

The Kings have paid for treatment from hospitals, physicians and therapists but the dispute gives no cost for the treatment.